Color ink method

ABSTRACT

A method of changing an existing color on a fabric material involves desizing the fabric material, washing the fabric material with an enzyme, and applying one or more chemical reagents to the fabric material to cause the existing color on the fabric material to change into a different color. Subsequently, a chemical reagent is either sprinkled, or sprayed and sprinkled, onto the fabric. The fabric is then washed with a softening agent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to the treatment of fabricmaterials, and in particular, to a method of applying a color to afabric material.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Colored fabric materials have been very popular in recent times,and have been used for many different types of articles, includingclothing articles (e.g., hats, caps, sweaters, T-shirts, etc.) andnon-clothing articles (e.g., certain furniture and household items liketablecloths, etc.). There are many known methods of applying colors to apiece of fabric. For example, most of the presently known methodsinclude the traditional method of applying color directly on to thefabric by using paint, spray or dyes, which creates excess coloring inkand causes pollution during the processing. In addition, the resultingcolors often appear muted and dull.

[0005] Thus, there still remains a need for a method of applying a colorto a fabric material that overcomes the drawbacks described above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method forapplying a color to a fabric material.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a methodfor applying a color to a fabric material in which the resulting colorappears vibrant and natural.

[0008] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide amethod for applying a color to a fabric material in which pollution isminimized.

[0009] In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, thepresent invention provides a method of changing an existing color on afabric material. According to the method, the fabric material isdesized, and then washed with an enzyme. Thereafter, one or morechemical reagents are applied to the fabric material to cause theexisting color on the fabric material to change into a different color.Subsequently, a chemical reagent is either sprinkled, or sprayed andsprinkled, onto the fabric. The fabric is then washed with a softeningagent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The following detailed description is of the best presentlycontemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description isnot to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purposeof illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. Thescope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0012] The present invention provides a method of applying a color inkto a fabric material which is implemented by causing the fabric materialto change its color from an original color to a different color.Although the present invention will be illustrated herein in connectionwith caps and hats, it is possible to utilize the present invention withany fabric material that is used for any article (clothing ornon-clothing). In addition, although the method of the present inventioncan be applied to almost any non-white fabric, the results areespecially effective when utilized in connection with polo twills andjean materials.

[0013] One method according to the present invention, for use with hats,is illustrated in connection with the flowchart of FIG. 1. First, thefabric material (which may already be embodied in the form of a finishedhat or cap) is subject to a desizing step 10 whose purpose is to extractresin, hard gel, unwanted colors and other particulates from the fabric.During this desizing step, the finished hats are loaded into a largewashing machine, a desizing agent, such as TEXPERSE SP-800, is added,and the hats are washed at a high temperature (e.g., in the range of 85to 90 degrees Celcius) at a pH value of about 4.4 to 5.5 for about 30minutes.

[0014] The next step 20 is enzyme washing, in which the hats are loadedinto another washing machine, an enzyme, such as ACID ENZYME 88L, isadded, and the hats are washed at a temperature in the range of 60 to 65degrees Celcius at a pH value of about 4.4 to 5.5 for about 80 minutes.The main reason for using enzymes to wash the hats is to make the edgesof the hat look like a cowboy hat and to display a natural-appearing“hi-lo”.

[0015] In the next step 30, the hats are dried in an oven for about 30minutes at a temperature of about 80-85 degrees Celcius.

[0016] Then, a chemical reagent is applied (e.g., coated) on to the hatin step 40. The chemical reagent can be applied manually by brush, andis utilized to instantaneously generate a different color on the fabricmaterial. The chemical reagent can produce a different color on thefabric material upon a change in pH (e.g., a relatively high pH such as4.5 to 5.5). The pH is changed at the same time that the chemicalreagent is applied. In other words, a new color is obtained on thefabric as a result of the interaction of the chemical reagent with theexisting color(s) on the fabric together with a change in pH, and doesnot require that the color be directly painted, sprayed or dyed onto thefabric.

[0017] Non-limiting examples of chemical reagants that can be used forthe present invention include, but are not limited to, hydrogen peroxide(H202), hydros ulphite, sodium hydroxide (H202) and potassiumpermanganate (KMN04). Any one or more of these reagents, and differentorders of applying these reagents, can be used to obtain changes incolor. For example, if only one of hydrogen peroxide (H202), hydrosulphite, sodium hydroxide (H202) or potassium permanganate (KMN04) isused, the manufacturer might obtain a slight color change. As anotherexample, if all of hydrogen peroxide (H202), hydros ulphite, sodiumhydroxide (H202) and potassium permanganate (KMN04) are applied (in thisparticular order) to a black fabric, then the black fabric will changeinto a light green color. As yet another example, if all of potassiumpermanganate (KMN04), sodium hydroxide (H202), hydros ulphite andhydrogen peroxide (H202) are applied (in this particular order) to ablack fabric, then the black fabric will change into a yellow color.Thus, the number of these reagents and the order in which these reagentsare applied may result in changes from the original or existing colorinto different colors. As yet a further example, if all of hydrogenperoxide (H202), hydros ulphite, sodium hydroxide (H202) and potassiumpermanganate (KMN04) are applied (in this particular order) to a redfabric, then the red fabric will change into a light yellow color.

[0018] At this point in the method, the hats can be processed either bya sprinkling step 50, or by a spraying and sprinkling step 60. In thesprinkling step 50, a small brush or toothbrush is dipped in a preparedchemical reagent, and is then used to sprinkle the prepared chemicalreagent onto the hat. The prepared chemical reagant can be any of thechemical reagents identified above for step 40. The main purpose of thissprinkling step is to create the effect of a layered look on the fabric,similar to the effect of a watercolor.

[0019] In the spraying and sprinkling step 60, a chemical reagent (whichcan be any of the chemical reagents identified above for step 40) isfilled into a container equipped with a spray head. After the chemicalreagent has been sprayed onto the hat, the sprinkling (which can beperformed in the same manner as step 50) is applied. The main purpose ofthe spraying step is to concentrate the color at certain locations. Thesubsequent sprinkling will then create color spots, which when combinedwith the spraying, creates a different color definition so that it lookslike colors are being applied from different directions. Thus, thesprinkling step 50 and the spraying and sprinkling step 60 are used tocreate different visual appearances on the fabric, and either step 50 orstep 60 can be selected by the manufacturer depending on the desiredresults that the manufacturer wishes to achieve.

[0020] Thereafter, soft washing is performed in step 70. To accomplishthis, the hats are loaded into another washing machine, a softeningagent, such as amino silicone, SP-30 or J-240, is added, and the hatsare washed at a temperature in the range of 40 to 45 degrees Celcius ata pH value of about 7 for about 20 minutes. The purpose of this softwashing step is to make the finished hats feel softer.

[0021] Finally, in step 80, the hats are dried in an oven for about 30minutes at a temperature of about 80-85 degrees Celcius. The hats arenow ready for use.

[0022] Thus, the present invention uses a chemical reagent to change theexisting color(s) on a fabric. The use of a chemical reagent avoids theuse of messy and pollutive ink, so that pollution can be minimized. Inaddition, the method of the present invention has been shown to providefabrics with new colors that appear more vibrant and natural thanfabrics made according to the conventional spray, paint or dye methods.

[0023] While the description above refers to particular embodiments ofthe present invention, it will be understood that many modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanyingclaims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within thetrue scope and spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of changing an existing color on afabric material, comprising: desizing a fabric material; washing thefabric material with an enzyme; applying one or more chemical reagentsto the fabric material; sprinkling one or more chemical reagents ontothe fabric material; and washing the fabric material with a softeningagent.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of applying one ormore chemical reagents to the fabric material further includes changingthe pH.
 3. The method of claim 1, further including the step of ovendrying the fabric material after washing the fabric material with anenzyme, but before applying one or more chemical reagents to the fabricmaterial.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the chemical reagant is oneor more of hydrogen peroxide (H202), hydros ulphite, sodium hydroxide(H202) and potassium permanganate (KMN04).
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the fabric material is part of a hat.
 6. A method of changing anexisting color on a fabric material, comprising: desizing a fabricmaterial; washing the fabric material with an enzyme; applying one ormore chemical reagents to the fabric material; spraying one or morechemical reagents onto the fabric material; sprinkling one or morechemical reagents onto the fabric material; and washing the fabricmaterial with a softening agent.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein thestep of applying one or more chemical reagents to the fabric materialfurther includes changing the pH.
 8. The method of claim 6, furtherincluding the step of oven drying the fabric material after washing thefabric material with an enzyme, but before applying one or more chemicalreagents to the fabric material.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein thechemical reagant is one or more of hydrogen peroxide (H202), hydrosulphite, sodium hydroxide (H202) and potassium permanganate (KMN04). 10.The method of claim 6, wherein the fabric material is part of a hat.